Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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321916 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2007 Inspection date Ingrid Pine Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1999 and works in partnership with her husband who is also a registered childminder. She is registered to care for six children and has 18 children on roll. Several of these children are over eight years of age. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 13 years in a house in the village of Altofts, which is situated between Wakefield and Pontefract. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes as well as two log cabins in the rear garden. There is an enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. Nearby there are shops, parks, open spaces, schools and playgroups. Children are collected from local primary schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a cat, dog, one rabbit and one guinea pig.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the Wakefield Childminding Network.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The children are cared for in a very healthy environment as the childminder implements good hygiene procedures. Cross-contamination between children is minimised as there are excellent procedures in place. Children have individual named towels and there are bright informative posters on the walls reminding them of personal hygiene. Older children are encouraged to become independent in their self-care and often remind their peers about the importance of washing their hands. Children are well cared for if they are ill or have an accident. The childminder has maintained a current paediatric first aid certificate and regularly checks the contents of her first aid box. Parents are made aware of the childminder's detailed sickness policy and all necessary permissions, such as for seeking emergency treatment if necessary, are in place to support the children's safety.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder discusses healthy options with parents and carers to ensure children are well supported in deciding what type of fruit to bring for their snack. A nutritious meal is provided during the day and a selection of drinks is readily available and accessible throughout the day. All children have a very clear awareness of food that is good for them as they grow and prepare their own vegetables. They go to the supermarket with the childminder and act out buying healthy options in their pretend shop. Details of children's dietary needs are obtained from parents at the time of placement and the childminder is vigilant in ensuring that any allergies or intolerances are dealt with. Mealtimes are well planned so that children have time to enjoy their meal and they sit together at the table to promote their social skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children develop a very positive attitude towards physical exercise and understand the need for a healthy lifestyle. Children have many opportunities to visit local amenities, such as the park where they engage in vigorous play. They visit the woods where they develop their skills in climbing trees and balancing. They also thoroughly enjoy regular gardening sessions and mainly walk to and from school, whatever the weather. Children also have time for quieter activities, such as yoga or story time, and the childminder plans her day to incorporate younger children's home routine for sleep. For example, they make a comfortable den under a large table where children can dress up in their pyjamas and curl up to rest or read a book.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that children play safely by having all appropriate safety equipment in place and carrying out regular detailed risk assessments. Comprehensive written procedures are in place and children practise the fire drill regularly so that they are aware of what to do in the event of an evacuation. Children's safety on outings is very well considered. The childminder ensures that children are aware of routines for keeping themselves safe, such as road safety. She has recently purchased high visibility vests for children to wear when on outings. The childminder gives good support to the children's understanding of keeping themselves safe. She gives clear explanations, for example, as to why children should be careful when climbing onto a chair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move confidently around the childminder's home accessing different areas for play. High quality resources are presented well. They are kept in very good condition and are entirely

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 suitable for the development of the children. Children are easily able to access them safely from low units and boxes which support their independence and choice of play. The childminder supplements her resources from other agencies to ensure that the individual needs of children are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded competently as the childminder has attended further training to update her understanding of child protection. She is fully aware of the correct procedures to follow if she has any concerns and uses effective systems to ensure children are safe at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder offers children an excellent range of resources and play opportunities that cover all areas of their learning and they are happily and purposefully engaged. These are organised to enable children to make their own choices and the childminder supports them very well by responding immediately to their spontaneous requests and play ideas. The childminder is very aware of individual children's needs and plans appropriate stimulating activities. Children develop well as she evaluates their progress and provides further opportunities to enhance their learning. Role play activities, such as shops and hairdressers encourage children to develop their imagination, literacy and numeracy skills. Natural materials and topics on mini-beasts help children to learn about texture and the world about them. They listen to stories well with concentration and excitedly join in. Craft activities are readily available and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder boosts the children's self-esteem by displaying these. The childminder keeps a very comprehensive record of all children's activities and experiences. Children are proud of their achievements and like to share this with their peers and adults. Parents are encouraged to contribute to their children's learning and development. They report back on activities with the 'travelling bear' and provide informative photographs for the album.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Relationships between the childminder and children are exceptionally good. Children are very settled, confident and talkative, both to each other and to other adults. The childminder supports younger children's speech and language development, using repetition and encouraging them to use their imagination and develop their conversational skills in role play. Children's social skills and their ability to play alongside others are developing very well as the childminder includes visits to local childminding groups and the local library for story time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for in a loving, family environment. The childminder treats all children with equal concern and gives them equal attention. As a result, they feel very secure and confident with the childminder who provides them with high quality interactions, significantly enhancing their development. Very good resources support the children's understanding of similarities, differences and the world about them. Children enjoy activities which help them to develop their sense of care and sharing, such as looking after a special bear and empathy dolls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Provision for children with additional needs is excellent. The childminder provides an environment where children with specific learning difficulties and disabilities thrive. She works in close co-operation with other agencies and provides a designated area where all children can enjoy an extremely high level of stimulating activities that develop their sensory skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children's behaviour is excellent and there is a comprehensive, detailed policy in place. Children are very polite and older children are seen to care for younger ones. The childminder supports children's understanding of sharing and taking turns. Behaviour management is clearly understood by the childminder. This helps learn children right from wrong in a secure and loving environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed excellent well-presented written information for the parents and carers, including policies and procedures relating to the National Standards. A supportive, friendly partnership with parents and carers is in place and both written and verbal information is readily exchanged about the children, ensuring they are kept fully informed about their children's day. The childminder is respectful of parents' wishes and actively seeks out their views on her provision through questionnaires. These, together with letters from parents, show that parents and carers have a very high opinion of the childminder and the service and care she offers.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder uses the space in her home to create a very comfortable, child-friendly environment where children are able to move freely from one area to another. However, at times, resources from their independent activities are not always organised effectively and may cause a hazard to children.

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Organisation

The childminder's very comprehensive file of policies and procedures shows a clear understanding of the National Standards and this has a positive impact on the children's health, safety and welfare.

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Organisation

The childminder shows excellent commitment to extending her knowledge of childcare and attends a broad variety of training to support this. Documentation is very organised; all required records, registers and parental permissions are in place and well maintained.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve her fire drill procedure and ensure that parents had information regarding Ofsted's contact number.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has implemented a new evacuation policy and informed parents of Ofsted's contact number.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that space and resources are organised to meet children's needs and safety effectively.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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